The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia Proposes New Rules for Energy Suppliers
October 21, 2014
On October 17, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (“Commission”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for amendments to the “Consumer Bill of Rights” of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. The proposed rules clarify requirements for energy suppliers. Significantly, the proposed rules would require two methods of verification for most residential electric and natural gas sales.
Currently, for residential telephone solicitations, customer authorization must be verified through a third-party verification system or a recording of the entire call. However, under the proposed rules an energy supplier must obtain the following for telephone solicitations: (1) independent third-party telephone verification (or other recording) of the customer’s choice; and, (2) a signed written contract. Similarly, for residential door-to-door solicitations, a signed written contract would no longer be adequate. The proposed rules would also require energy suppliers to obtain either an independent third-party telephone verification or a recording of the entire call that verifies the customer’s choice. The proposed rules would not require two methods of verification for internet sales.
The Commission also proposed rules that would modify rescission periods, Commission notification of changes in rates or charges, and processing of cancellation requests, among other requirements. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available here. Written comments and reply comments are due November 17, 2014 and December 1, 2014, respectively.
This Eckert Seamans Energy and Utilities Blog is intended to keep readers current on matters affecting businesses and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions about the content of this post, please contact Sarah Stoner at (717) 237-6026; sstoner@eckertseamans.com.